SIA
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is now the official airline for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in August 2010. The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (SYOGOC) and Singapore Airlines jointly announced that they have signed a sponsorship agreement under which the Airline will provide air tickets, carriage of airfreight, as well as publicity of the Games through its proprietary media channels. “We are delighted to have Singapore Airlines as our official airline. It is our national and a world-class carrier with a modern passenger fleet. We can therefore be assured that key officials traveling for the inaugural YOG will have a pleasant trip on board with the excellent services provided by SIA. The partnership will also see joint efforts by SYOGOC and SIA to fly the Singapore flag higher and further,” said Goh Kee Nguan, CEO of SYOGOC.
Nissan
Enthusiasts of Nissan’s supercar, the GT-R, recently organized a meeting for GT-R owners from Lebanon. The event, which was organized by the Nissan GT-R club of Lebanon, is the first of a series of events planned for owners in the country. The “Nissan GT-R Club Lebanon” was first started in October 2009 and has quickly grown to fourteen members in just two months. The club was started by GT-R owner Jean Pierre Nasrallah, a rally driver who previously became the youngest champion in the history of Lebanese motorsports, while driving a Renault 5 Turbo 2, Group B at the Hill Climb race of 1985. “The GT-R Morning Run was a great opportunity for our members to get together to celebrate the club’s first event and share our passion for the GT-R. Following the event, we have received several requests from other GT-R owners in Lebanon to join the club, and our activities are generating an increased interest among the public for the supercar. Our members are eagerly looking forward to a full day event which we plan to organize in February this year,” Nasrallah said.
Armani
Trend Micro is hitting the catwalks of Milan with the debut of Giorgio Armani-Samsung Smartphone. Chosen by Giorgio Armani and Samsung to protect this “elegant and functional” mobile device, Trend Micro Mobile Security is designed to guard against viruses, SMS text message spam, and malware attacks, as well as prevent data theft and service disruptions. “We are excited to be teaming with globally recognized leaders like Samsung and Giorgio Armani to further our commitment of ‘ubiquitous security,” said Carol Carpenter, GM, consumer and small business unit, Trend Micro. “The fact that they selected us proves that smart, easy security is always in vogue.” Key features of Trend Micro Mobile Security include monitors inbound and outbound data activity, blocks unauthorized activity with built-in adjustable-protection firewall, blocks spam SMS text messages from unknown senders, provides automatic real-time virus/spyware scans with optional manual scan, delivers updated pattern files automatically via Internet connection, simplifies configuration with easy-to-use mobile handset interface, and protects against web threats when browsing from mobile device blocks websites with inappropriate content availability.
3Points
3points received an award at the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival recently. The agency was rewarded for two of its impressive spots illustrating public awareness campaigns. The first was “Aqim Salatak” (Perform your Prayers) campaign and the other was a campaign which belonged to Abdul Latif Jameel Group, which was aimed at bringing awareness to the society’s shortcomings through its “because we love you” corporate social responsibility program. ALJ wanted 3points to promote these qualities through ad films that reminded people that the world needs “Love, respect and appreciation” to go around. The films produced were of high quality. The ad films had messages including love the warmth of life, respect the pulse of life appreciation is a basis of life. 3points is a Saudi-based organization, run by qualified Saudis. The company has been working in the field of advertising for 10 years and has obtained numerous awards across the Kingdom, the region and the world. The company has branches in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai. Recently, it was honored among the top 100 Fast Growth companies in Saudi Arabia.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has announced that 23 products were honored with International CES 2010 Innovations Awards, including three best of innovation awards, at the recent Las Vegas Convention Center in the United States. With more than 100 CES Innovation Awards won over the past three years, Samsung’s additions this year cover multiple categories including TVs, home theater systems, digital audio, cameras, home appliances and mobile phones. “We are honored to be recognized by CES for our company’s achievements and commitment to creating leading-edge designs and innovations that enrich consumers’ lives and homes,” said C.S. Choi, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “The 23 prestigious ICES 2010 Innovation Awards, including the three eco-design products, reinforce Samsung’s ongoing efforts to provide technology and services that deliver on the promise of innovation from 3D to Web-TV to LEDs to mobility.”
Medsol/GHI
Medsol, a clinical pathology provider in the region, has opened Gulf Medical Laboratories, its first laboratory in Saudi Arabia. It is described as a state of the art laboratory based in Alkhobar offering laboratory testing for screening, diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment. With an extensive test menu of over 700 tests in all medical specialties, the new laboratory is committed to the most effective turnaround times and all test results are supported by quality processes that satisfy international accreditation standards. For consumers, a walk-in center is available for disease screening based on population-at-risk statistics. A part of Gulf Healthcare International (GHI), which is owned by the private equity funds managed by global private equity group Global Capital Management, Medsol operates a total of 15 branded labs across the Middle East and North Africa. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Jama, medical director, Gulf Medical Laboratories, said: “Patients deserve access to the latest clinical and managerial advancement, safe in the knowledge that health care providers can deliver the highest international standards. Medsol has already demonstrated its expertise in providing unrivalled, dedicated pathology testing services across the MENA and we look forward to seeing its presence grow throughout Saudi Arabia with the acquisition of more facilities such as this one.” Ravi Dhir, VP, GHI, said: “Saudi Arabia’s strong health care market and increasing focus on private care has created tremendous potential for both physicians and patients to reap the benefits.”
BCDR
Bahrain recently launched the Bahrain Chamber of Dispute Resolution and, in the process, became the first country in the world to establish an arbitration “free zone” and introduce the concept of statutory arbitration. The chamber, an initiative of Bahrain’s Ministry of Justice and delivered in partnership with the American Arbitration Association, the world’s leading provider of conflict management and dispute resolution services, will be known formally as the BCDR-AAA. Established through unique ADR legislation, the BCDR-AAA will provide the region with a “best in class” international ADR center of excellence, but with the distinct added advantage of operating an arbitration “free zone” under Bahrain’s new legislation. As a result, where international disputes are heard at the BCDR, where the parties involved agree to be bound by the outcome, the award will be guaranteed and not subject to challenge in Bahrain.
GO
Etihad Atheeb Telecoms Co. (GO), the licensed fixed line 4G operator in the Kingdom, has announced the continuation of its distinctive offers in response to demands of current and new subscribers, the continuation includes all Home Broadband Internet and 4G voice service packages, with no setup charges for new subscribers and up to for additional free months. The Home Broadband & 4G Voice Service package for new customers includes two additional months free of charge with a six-month subscription and four additional months free of charge with a 12-month subscription for all available speeds (512 kbs, 1 Mbs and 2 Mbs), the 4G Wi-Fi modem is also provided free of charge and requires no setup fees, in addition to the possibility of choosing a 4G voice number, package prices start from SR109 monthly. The renewal offer for existing customers includes a free SR150 credit for voice service or one additional month of Internet service free for six-month subscriptions and a free SR300 credit for voice service or three additional months of Internet service free for 12-month subscriptions for all available speeds. Renewal prices start from monthly SR100.
Chevrolet
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has lived up to its legendary reputation and claimed Wheels magazine’s 2009 Best Sports Car award along with Middle East Car Magazine’s 2009 Best Muscle Car award in Dubai. “It is a thoroughly modern take on the original. But don’t let the retro-inspired looks fool you — as a driver’s car the Camaro is up there with the best of them,” said Wheels Editor Amit Benjamin. “One of the true greats is back with awesome styling, high performance, and it’s affordable. The word legend gets bandied about too often, but in the case of the Camaro, it’s almost restrictive,” said, Middle East Car Editor Philip Moore. The Camaro is sleekly styled on the DNA of the first generation Camaro, produced from 1967 to 1969, which along with its performance and advanced technology, delivers on its high expectations as a sports coupe for the 21st century. The Camaro is available in two trims in the Middle East.
MODON
Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON) recently met with a group of executives from the Japanese Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. Topics related to investment opportunities in the industrial sector in the Kingdom and the prospects for Japanese companies to establish factories. The meeting also discussed five points of the industrial strategy and the identification of the quality of industries that will be invested in, investment opportunities with Saudi investors and added value that can be provided in these industries by the Japanese corporation, particularly in areas of technical know-how and training. MODON Director General Tawfig bin Fawzan Alrabiah described the advantages of the industrial cities of MODON and incentives it provided to become one of the competitors in attracting local and global investments, development field of industry in Saudi Arabia, provision of land and the attractive investment climate required for the establishment of industries in the industrial cities spread across all regions of the Kingdom.
WFES
Bertrand Piccard, president of Solar Impulse and internationally renowned lecturer, will be presenting his project to fly around the world in a solar airplane during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) taking place in Abu Dhabi from Jan. 18-21. Piccard will speak on “Achieving the unachievable: around the world in a solar plane.” Panelists will include Duncan Hedditch, chief executive EMAL, and Peter Gutman, global head, renewable energy and environmental finance, Standard Chartered Bank. Piccard said: “I came up with this idea following the first non-stop around the world balloon flight in 1999. To achieve this success, we took off with almost four tons of liquid propane and landed with only 40 kg. Realizing that the lack of fuel could have failed our expedition, I made a promise to myself. The next time I’d fly around the world, I’d do it without fuel. I am looking forward to talking about the project at the WFES in Abu Dhabi, and hope that it helps to demonstrate the potential of renewable energies.”
GFF
The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), the annual event celebrating Gulf cinema and an initiative under the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is offering more critical funding and support to Gulf film talent. The festival is an accomplishment of the vision of UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum to further strengthen local and regional talent in culture and arts, and provide a strong infrastructure for growth. Nearly half a million dirhams in prize money will be won by professional filmmakers and emerging young talent of Gulf nationality at the third Gulf Film Festival (GFF). The event takes place in Dubai from April 8-14. An annual non-profit celebration of the highest standards of Gulf cinema, GFF is now accepting entries into its two main competitions for 2010: The Film Competition and Script Competition. The last date for submission of entries is Feb. 15.
- Compiled by Arab News
